Table of Contents
What is Michael Platt’s Net Worth?
Michael Platt, the co-founder and managing director of BlueCrest Capital Management, has an estimated net worth of around $15.2 billion, making him the richest hedge fund manager in the UK.
Platt’s net worth has seen significant growth in recent years. In 2023, the Sunday Times Rich List estimated his net worth at £11.50 billion. His wealth increased substantially in 2020 when BlueCrest posted a 95% gain, swelling Platt’s net worth to $10 billion.
The majority of Platt’s wealth comes from his hedge fund company, BlueCrest Capital Management, which he co-founded in 2000. BlueCrest is now one of the biggest private investment firms in the world, operating as a personal investment vehicle for Platt, his senior partners, and employees.
BlueCrest has shown impressive returns in recent years:
- 2016: nearly 50% profit
- 2017: 54% gain
- 2019: 53.5% return
- 2020: 95% gain
Platt owns a Bombardier Challenger private jet and has homes in London, Switzerland, and the US. He is also a notable art collector, with an impressive collection displayed in a private showroom in London.
Here’s the breakdown of Michael Platt’s net worth:
Name: | Michael Platt |
Net Worth: | $15.2 Billion |
Date of Birth: | 18 March 1968 |
Profession: | Businessperson |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life and Education
Michael Platt was born on March 18, 1968, in Preston, Lancashire, England. He grew up in a middle-class family, with his father working as a civil engineering professor at the University of Manchester and his mother as a university administrator. Platt’s interest in finance was sparked at a young age by his grandmother, who introduced him to stock trading.
Platt’s academic pursuit began at Imperial College London, where he initially studied civil engineering. However, finding the course unengaging, he switched to the London School of Economics (LSE) after a year. At LSE, he pursued a degree in mathematics and economics, graduating in 1991.
During his undergraduate years, Platt demonstrated his investment acumen by making up to £30,000 through investments in newly privatized utilities.
Investment Career
Platt’s professional career in finance began immediately after graduation when he joined JP Morgan in 1991. He quickly rose through the ranks, assuming responsibility for developing the bank’s swaps and options trading business by 1992. By 1996, he had become the head of trading for all swaps products related to the 11 founding states of the European single currency.
In 2000, Platt co-founded BlueCrest Capital Management with William Reeves. Under Platt’s leadership, BlueCrest grew to become one of Europe’s largest hedge fund firms, managing over £30 billion at its peak. The firm’s success was largely attributed to Platt’s strategic foresight and risk management skills, particularly evident during the 2007-2008 financial crisis when BlueCrest made significant profits by shifting investments to ‘safe’ sovereign bonds.
In 2015, Platt made the bold decision to return all outside investor capital and convert BlueCrest into a private investment partnership. This move allowed for more concentrated investment strategies and resulted in exceptional returns, including a 95% gain in 2020.
Personal Life
Despite his immense wealth and professional success, Michael Platt maintains a relatively low public profile. He moved from London to Geneva, Switzerland, in 2010, citing “better staffing options” and to avoid increased regulation. In 2014, he relocated to Jersey, along with his hedge fund, for tax purposes.
Platt is known for his passion for contemporary art. He has built an impressive art collection, not by purchasing existing pieces, but by commissioning works from well-known artists. He maintains a private showroom in the crypt of a deconsecrated church at One Marylebone in London, where he displays selections from his collection.
Real Estate
Platt owns a luxurious 2,800-square-foot penthouse overlooking Central Park South in New York, which he acquired for $11.4 million in 2013. He also reportedly owns homes in London and Switzerland.
Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.
